NFL Notes

Raiders defensive end Matt Shaughnessy, the former Norwich Free Academy standout, walks on the sideline during a game against the Ravens on Nov. 11 at Baltimore. Shaughnessy was fined $26,250 by the NFL for his role on a fight during a game against the Bengals last Sunday.

The brawl started after a Bengals play was whistled dead because of a false start. Houston tackled quarterback Andy Dalton after the whistle, and Whitworth confronted the lineman, going facemask to facemask.

Later in the week, Whitworth called some of the Raiders "cowards" for hitting him during an on-field skirmish.

Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall drew two fines that totaled $35,750. He was docked $20,000 for a horse-collar tackle, and $15,750 for a late hit against Dallas.

Fined $21,000 were Panthers running back Mike Tolbert for a blindside block on a kickoff against Philadelphia, and Packers safety Jerron McMillian for helmet-to-helmet contact with defenseless New York Giants tight end Martellus Bennett.

Also fined $15,750 were Texans defensive end J.J. Watt $15,750 for roughing the passer after he struck Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in the head and neck area; Chiefs offensive lineman Donald Stephenson for unnecessary roughness against Denver; Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher for a horse-collar tackle on Vikings RB Adrian Peterson; and Rams DE Chris Long for striking Cardinals QB Ryan Lindley in the head.

Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin was fined $7,875 for a late hit against San Diego.

Roethlisberger ruled out again

For the third consecutive game, the Steelers will be without their star quarterback. At least it appears as if they'll have the quarterback of their defense and the reigning team MVP back on the field.

Ben Roethlisberger will not play Sunday in Baltimore, meaning Charlie Batch will make his second consecutive start at quarterback for the Steelers (6-5), who have lost each of the first two games Roethlisberger missed.

Unlike a defeat at home two weeks ago to the rival Ravens (9-2) and an upset loss this past Sunday in Cleveland, however, the Steelers likely will have safety Troy Polamalu and receiver Antonio Brown in uniform and active.

Polamalu and Brown both practiced fully all week and are listed as probable.

Brown, voted MVP by his teammates last season, confirmed he will play against the Ravens. But he did add, "I'm definitely sore, definitely feeling it right now."

49ers DE Dobbs arrested

San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Demarcus Dobbs was arrested early Friday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana, the California Highway Patrol said.

CHP Officer D.J. Sarabia said that Dobbs was involved in a single-car accident in which he hit a chain-link fence and a bush but didn't sustain any injuries. Dobbs was arrested at 3:45 a.m. in Santa Clara, where the team trains.

"Just property damage, so no injuries. He was the only one involved," Sarabia said. "It was cut and dry, without incident."

The arrest came on the 25th birthday for Dobbs, one of the NFC West-leading Niners' top special teams players. The 49ers released a statement Friday afternoon saying Dobbs wouldn't travel with the team Friday to St. Louis, where San Francisco faces the Rams on Sunday.

The 49ers said they have been in contact with Dobbs and the NFL office and "we are gathering the relevant facts as it pertains to this situation."

"He will not be making the trip to St. Louis, and we will reserve further comment at this time," the team said.

Eagles' Vick, McCoy still out

Nick Foles handing off to Bryce Brown in front of a national television audience wasn't the way the Philadelphia Eagles envisioned their season going.

The two rookies will be starting again Sunday night when the struggling Eagles (3-8) visit Dallas (5-6) because Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy are still sidelined by concussions. Vick, the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback, is missing his third straight game and McCoy, the All-Pro running back, his second in a row.

Neither Vick nor McCoy has even been cleared to begin practicing since getting hurt. Vick remains in stage four of five in his recovery and McCoy is in stage two, according to head athletic trainer Rich Burkholder. The team has a five-phase recovery protocol, which is separate from the NFL-mandated concussion program.

Young says little about exile

Titus Young had little to say about his brief exile from the Detroit Lions.

The second-year receiver spoke with reporters Friday for the first time since returning to practice. He was deactivated for Detroit's loss to Houston on Thanksgiving. Young rejoined the team for practice Wednesday.

Sitting in front of his locker wearing a pair of sunglasses, Young spoke for less than two minutes before the session was cut short by media relations personnel.

"What happens in house, stays in house," Young said - and that was about as thorough a response as he gave to any of the questions.

Detroit hosts Indianapolis on Sunday, and it's not clear yet if Young will be active.

"When we get to Sunday, we'll make a decision on who the best 46 are to give us a chance," coach Jim Schwartz said. "We're taking it day by day."

Young was banished for what Schwartz called "unacceptable" behavior during a loss to Green Bay two weekends ago. The second-round draft pick from Boise State has 33 catches for 383 yards and four touchdowns this season. He had 48 receptions for 607 yards and six TDs as a rookie.

Vikings list Harvin as doubtful

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin has been listed as doubtful to play the rival Packers on Sunday because of a sprained left ankle, a frustrating absence for him and the team that would reach three games if he's not in uniform at Lambeau Field.

Harvin did some catching drills on Friday but did not participate in practice again.

"Not the cutting that we'd like to be able to see," coach Leslie Frazier said. He said he wasn't sure yet whether Harvin would travel with the team to Green Bay. He hasn't been at the stadium with the Vikings since Nov. 4 at Seattle, when he suffered the injury. Harvin has been told to stay home and rest the last two Sundays the Vikings have played.

The team expected Harvin to return after their Nov. 18 bye, but he hasn't healed enough to be able to use his foot at full strength.

Packer rookie Dezman Moses in for LB Matthews

Kevin Greene is among those who misses not having Clay Matthews on the field for the Packers.

Greene just doesn't want the star linebacker to be rushed back from a hamstring injury.

"I want Clay back as soon as he is 110 percent healthy," said Greene, the Packers' outside linebackers coach. "I don't want him back with any chance of re-tweaking his injury because he's coming back too soon. I want him back whenever he is 110 percent, and then we plug him in and we truck on."

The Packers (7-4) won't have Matthews for Sunday's game against NFC North rival Minnesota (6-5), listing him as out on Friday's injury report. Matthews, who leads the team with nine sacks, hasn't even been able to practice since reinjuring his left hamstring in Green Bay's win over Arizona on Nov. 4.

"Well, he's making progress, he's just not ready to play in the game," coach Mike McCarthy said.

Moses has come up with a sack in each of the last two games, forced a fumble on one of those and had a team-high 11 tackles in front of dozens of family and friends in the Packers' loss at the New York Giants on Sunday night. His hometown of Willingboro, N.J., is 75 miles from East Rutherford.

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